Undoubtedly, ordinary citizens have the duty to be the ones inducing political change when it becomes apparent that oppression exists in a state, although it is through cooperation between political elites and citizens that successful political changes will occur. While Weber, Thoreau and Dr. King suggest citizens must resist injustices, Dr. King goes further to add it is through synergy between ordinary citizens and political leaders that one causes political change–as the latter has legislative power. Speaking up is necessary to end injustice that targets a specific group of people, but according to Thoreau (27) and Dr. King (135) it is important to be willing to engage in civil disobedience and accept the consequences. Civil disobedience…show more content… Through their work, Weber, Thoreau, and Dr. King speak to the importance of citizens breaking the silence, acting according to their assessment of a just citizen, as well as creating uncomfortable spaces where change occurs through political elites intervening when it is apparent that a group of people is being oppressed. Oftentimes, ordinary citizens are told they need to comply with the established laws– disregarding whether these are just or not, and that there is no need to question whether they are lawful. However, when it becomes apparent that a state is directly or indirectly oppressing one group, it is up to the citizens to denounce it. Time after time, history has proven how when citizens unite for a common cause and make their voices heard, they can successfully influence political elites to acquiesce with these demands. Throughout his essay “Civil Disobedience”, Thoreau expresses the duty citizens have to induce political change when oppression exists, and argues there is nothing worse for a society than having ordinary citizens being indifferent to societal
